Synonyms

Physical Appearance

Uses/Sources

·Formic acid is a natural constituent
of some fruits (apples, pears, plums, apricots), nuts, and dairy products. Some
wines may contain formic acid.

·Formic acid is an important toxic
metabolite produced in methanol poisoning.

Industrial
uses—

·Component of descaling and
stain-removing agents

·Reducing agent in wool/textile
dyeing

·Leather tanning, plumping and
dehairing product for hides

·Coagulation of latex rubber
Electroplating

Agricultural
uses—

·Animal feed additive

·Food preservative, flavour enhancer:
Formic acid has been used as a food additive in small amounts (e.g. 0.1 to 6
ppm) in ice cream, ices, candy, and baked goods.

Therapeutic
uses—

·Removal of tattoosComponent in some
external preparations for the treat-ment of musculoskeletal and joint
disorders.

Usual Fatal Dose

Ingestions of less than 10 grams in
children have resulted in oropharyngeal burns; no deaths were reported.
Solutions of 10% or less are generally considered noncorrosive. Ingestions
between 5 and 30 grams may result in symptomatic burns of the gastrointestinal
tract and haematemesis, but death is unusual. Ingestions between 45 to 200
grams often result in death within the first 36 hours post-ingestion.

Treatment

·First-aid
: Immediate dilution, by administering milk.

·Induction of emesis, gastric lavage,
and use of activated charcoal are all contraindicated.

·High dose folinic acid (1 ml/kg IV
bolus, followed by 6 doses of 1 mg/kg IV at 4 hourly intervals) is recommended
by some investigators, since it is supposed to enhance formate degrada-tion by
the liver.